ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step in understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor) who specializes in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct a structured interview to examine your background. They might request old reports, and talk to family members, teachers or your friends to find out about your childhood habits.
Signs and symptoms
Children and adults who have symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have trouble with paying close attention, listening attentively and following directions--things that come naturally to others. These symptoms can also cause problems with learning and relationships at school, work and at home. Speak to your GP if you or your child is showing these signs. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialists, if required.
A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical history and health records and completing an examination. You can also mention the history of your family's ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may consist of an explanation of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical exam and lab tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. These include looking for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity, which lasts for a period of six months or more and determining whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your daily routine at home, at work or school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms are more likely to present differently as they grow older. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.
If your adult symptoms match the criteria for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications improve focus and concentration, while improving alertness and energy. They can be prescribed in extended-release forms to lessen the risk of adverse effects. Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter the brain's neurotransmitters and enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step to taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your life both professionally and personally. A psychiatric assessment can be performed by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school and in social settings. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be examined. They will then compare your child's behavior with the behavior of other children his age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to pay attention, forgetting about things, and interrupting others.
There are three presentations of ADHD - predominately inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must meet six of the nine symptoms that fall under either the inattentive or the hyperactive-impulsive categories. They must be present in two or more settings, affect your child's functioning and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six (6) months.
If your child does not meet the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional will assign them unspecified ADHD. They might also decide that your child does not have a hyperactive-impulsive presentation of the condition and not give them an official ADHD diagnosis.
A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also check your child's blood pressure and complete an examination to determine if there are any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full history and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will also consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD, as the condition is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To begin treatment, you must first locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by calling your insurance provider or asking a local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, such as continuous tests for performance, to look for problems with attention and impulsivity. Some doctors also use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an evaluation.
During the interview, the therapist will go over the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also seek information from someone who knows the patient very well for example, the spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also speak with nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults that spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough process and can be a long time. The doctor will write the report, and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the degree to which the symptoms interfere with the individual's daily activities. This means that the symptoms must be significantly affecting two important settings like at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be backed by at least three of the five symptom categories: trouble paying close attention to specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on work or activities, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted.
Prevention
People with inattentional ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not perform well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to keep an occupation. These individuals also need to be treated with respect.
The term ADD is still used frequently, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer version is based on the fact that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom.
There are differences between the way the disorder is manifested by boys and girls. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This increases the likelihood that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health care professional. This may include an interview with a clinician, a medical history review, and a physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with a good understanding of the individual as well as normative rating scales, both by loved ones and by educators. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to cause impairment in functioning.
It is crucial to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition such as anxiety or depression. In some instances treatment of other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
Anyone who have been diagnosed with the disorder should to be aware of possible side effects and treatment. go!! should also keep in touch with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medications are working in the way they should.
The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and parent training, can be very effective for children and adults who suffer from this condition, too. It is essential to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as some patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.